Since we're on the Voracek hit again, can we dredge up some other old topics:

Laviolette's handling of goalies last spring, Holmgren's losing Vaananen and Metropolit on waivers, Can Niittymaki be a starter, Peter Zezel for Mike Bullard, Why did they get rid of Cooperalls, and did they give up too much to get Reggie Leach.

I believe it was 11 points.
- Jsaquella

Thanks. That's not that much, which makes it more puzzling that some media types were handing them the division. Granted, they didn't look like they were going to slow down, but there was still a lot of hockey to play then and there still is now.

Yea I agree.. i dont get that rationale.

Also, in the playoff injuries happen. With a healthy Meszy.. if a guy like Coburn or Timonen were to go down.. he would (imo) be the guy to fill that role... Thats lost now. Losing Meszy is huge, regardless of how the other guys have played.
- jak521

That's the big worry for me. If anyone else gets hurt, now you have two rookies in the line-up in the playoffs.

Since we're on the Voracek hit again, can we dredge up some other old topics:

Laviolette's handling of goalies last spring, Holmgren's losing Vaananen and Metropolit on waivers, Can Niittymaki be a starter, Peter Zezel for Mike Bullard, Why did they get rid of Cooperalls, and did they give up too much to get Reggie Leach.
- Jsaquella

Can we complain about people complaining, too? Please? Pleeeeease??

It absolutely is a big loss. It's taken a top 4 quality 2 way defenseman out of the lineup. Regardless of what number is arbitrarily assigned to him.
- MJL

I'm just saying, yes it sucks to lose Meszaros, but with our depth it isnt a big blow. Just means a couple extra minutes for the top 2 pairings, and Lilja or Gus get some playoff time...

Bill Meltzer: Flyers Gameday: 3/20/12 vs. Panthers
- bmeltzer

Is Upshall always hurt? I liked Upshall in the orange and black, but not too sorry that we traded him.

NHL Games
06-07 32* (5 AHL, other missed w.injury)
07-08 61
08-09 74
09-10 49
10-11 82 (only full yr)
11-12 17

Injuries; Groin, Shoulder (x2), Wrist, Ankle (x2), Knee, Upper body (x2), Lower body, the flu, and a suspension... The guy is falling apart.

Yea I agree.. i dont get that rationale.

Also, in the playoff injuries happen. With a healthy Meszy.. if a guy like Coburn or Timonen were to go down.. he would (imo) be the guy to fill that role... Thats lost now. Losing Meszy is huge, regardless of how the other guys have played.
- jak521

Yep. Grossmann and Kubina really soften the blow, but it's still a major loss, considering he won't be back at all this year.

Thanks. That's not that much, which makes it more puzzling that some media types were handing them the division. Granted, they didn't look like they were going to slow down, but there was still a lot of hockey to play then and there still is now.
- funmaster18

@NHLHistoryGirl, a former Flyers intern BTW, posts NHL history tidbits on twitter. Yesterday she posted that on that date in 1988 or 89, Quebec was up 10 points on the Whalers. In the next ten games, the Whale had passed the Nords and eliminated them from the playoffs.

Can we complain about people complaining, too? Please? Pleeeeease??
- tangent_man

Absolutely.

Is Upshall always hurt? I liked Upshall in the orange and black, but not too sorry that we traded him.

NHL Games
06-07 32* (5 AHL, other missed w.injury)
07-08 61
08-09 74
09-10 49
10-11 82 (only full yr)
11-12 17

Injuries; Groin, Shoulder (x2), Wrist, Ankle (x2), Knee, Upper body (x2), Lower body, the flu, and a suspension... The guy is falling apart.
- leon neon

He's a little guy, who plays a hard nosed game. That leads to injuries. I don't especially mind that they traded him, just don't like the trade they made when they did move him.

Since we're on the Voracek hit again, can we dredge up some other old topics:

Laviolette's handling of goalies last spring, Holmgren's losing Vaananen and Metropolit on waivers, Can Niittymaki be a starter, Peter Zezel for Mike Bullard, Why did they get rid of Cooperalls, and did they give up too much to get Reggie Leach.
- Jsaquella

City should have never been given a franchise in '67.

@NHLHistoryGirl, a former Flyers intern BTW, posts NHL history tidbits on twitter. Yesterday she posted that on that date in 1988 or 89, Quebec was up 10 points on the Whalers. In the next ten games, the Whale had passed the Nords and eliminated them from the playoffs.
- Jsaquella

Unfortunately Rangers clinched a playoff spot last night, but man o man I would have loved to see them miss the playoffs... especially since my best friend is a Rags fan and has been rubbing 5-0 in my face all year...

Yep. Grossmann and Kubina really soften the blow, but it's still a major loss, considering he won't be back at all this year.
- funmaster18

When he was able to use it accurately, he had a decent shot from the point. Would've been nice to have his overtime goal scoring magic.

I'm just saying, yes it sucks to lose Meszaros, but with our depth it isnt a big blow. Just means a couple extra minutes for the top 2 pairings, and Lilja or Gus get some playoff time...
- RooNosHockey

I think losing veteran players in the playoffs, especially defenseman, is always a big loss. Not just their skills, but calming presence for the many rookies abd young players getting their first crack at the NHL playoffs. I do agree that the play of the new guys and young defenseman make that easier to deal with, but I'd feel much better with him out there once we get to the first round.

Since we're on the Voracek hit again, can we dredge up some other old topics:

Laviolette's handling of goalies last spring, Holmgren's losing Vaananen and Metropolit on waivers, Can Niittymaki be a starter, Peter Zezel for Mike Bullard, Why did they get rid of Cooperalls, and did they give up too much to get Reggie Leach.
- Jsaquella

Tell ya what, that Leach is an unmotivated underachiever, while MacAdam is a real up-and-comer. Bet you MacAdam has a 40-goal season someday.

He's a little guy, who plays a hard nosed game. That leads to injuries. I don't especially mind that they traded him, just don't like the trade they made when they did move him.
- Jsaquella

If I remember correctly it was a cap move wasn't it?

I'm just saying, yes it sucks to lose Meszaros, but with our depth it isnt a big blow. Just means a couple extra minutes for the top 2 pairings, and Lilja or Gus get some playoff time...
- RooNosHockey

I couldnt disagree more. Would you rather see this:

Carle-Timonen
Coburn-Grossman
Meszy-Kubina

or
Carle-Lilja
Timonen-Kubina
Coburn-Grossman

and then what if say Grossmann (or anyone else/ god forbid) were to be lost to injury...

Carle- Gusty
Timonen-Coburn
Kubina-Lilja..

Sorry but I have a hard time seeing that defense winning a cup

Unfortunately Rangers clinched a playoff spot last night, but man o man I would have loved to see them miss the playoffs... especially since my best friend is a Rags fan and has been rubbing 5-0 in my face all year...
- RooNosHockey

I don't think there was any chance they'd miss the playoffs after taking that commanding lead on the conference. Of course, a first round exit remains perfectly possible. Then we'll see how much that 5-0 matters to him

Tell ya what, that Leach is an unmotivated underachiever, while MacAdam is a real up-and-comer. Bet you MacAdam has a 40-goal season someday.
- bmeltzer

Hextall is a flobber. Why is he always on his back?

@NHLHistoryGirl, a former Flyers intern BTW, posts NHL history tidbits on twitter. Yesterday she posted that on that date in 1988 or 89, Quebec was up 10 points on the Whalers. In the next ten games, the Whale had passed the Nords and eliminated them from the playoffs.
- Jsaquella

Unfortunately Rangers clinched a playoff spot last night, but man o man I would have loved to see them miss the playoffs... especially since my best friend is a Rags fan and has been rubbing 5-0 in my face all year...
- RooNosHockey

They had a spot pretty much locked up awhile ago. But they were anointed as the Atlantic champs and 1st seed in the East about a month ago, which was dumb.

Tell ya what, that Leach is an unmotivated underachiever, while MacAdam is a real up-and-comer. Bet you MacAdam has a 40-goal season someday.
- bmeltzer

That was a hat tip to you

They had a spot pretty much locked up awhile ago. But they were anointed as the Atlantic champs and 1st seed in the East about a month ago, which was dumb.
- Jsaquella

Their record vs playoff teams of late is terrible..

I don't want to make it today's discussion, but thanks for the link. It was an interesting read, and I think he's spot on about the hit on Jakub. I can't say for the other ones, I didn't see that Edmonton game.
- BulliesPhan87

very true...I don't want to rehash things but I like Fraser's perspective although I wasn't really a fan of his during his days as a ref.
What he outlined is what I've been saying the last couple of years.

If the NHL has a lockout...as much as I'm very passionate about this sport, it may be time to move on...we shall see...(this is in reference to someone posting about canceling their NHL cable channel).

I think losing veteran players in the playoffs, especially defenseman, is always a big loss. Not just their skills, but calming presence for the many rookies abd young players getting their first crack at the NHL playoffs. I do agree that the play of the new guys and young defenseman make that easier to deal with, but I'd feel much better with him out there once we get to the first round.
- funmaster18

I guess this is what I was trying to say... Not downgrading Mesz, but with Kubina and Grossmann it hurts a lot less. As long as there are no more injuries on defense, you might not even notice too much...

But that brings up the questions... Lilja or Gus in the playoffs?